Selamawit Abreha managed a hotel in Ethiopia for 15 years before moving to the U.S. in 2008. Soon after, Abreha got married and had two children. She returned to school and earned her degree in billing and coding, and she now works for a medical, legal, and interpreting company. Some of her hobbies include cooking, serving in her Orthodox Church, reading, writing, and traveling.

A doctoral student and researcher at Cleveland State University, Temitope Adeniyi specializes in Quantum Technologies and AI, contributing to groundbreaking applications where her work revolves around the cutting-edge intersection of Quantum Technologies and Artificial Intelligence (AI), paving the way for groundbreaking applications that address challenges across diverse fields. With a robust academic background in physics, Temitope holds a wealth of knowledge that she effectively imparts to others. She leads quantum computing workshops for Cleveland institutions and mentors students on Quantum computing and AI. Temitope’s diverse professional journey includes roles as a co-founder, Machine Learning Engineer, and Product Manager in tech startups, showcasing her ability to turn innovative ideas into market-ready products. Apart from her research and entrepreneurial pursuits, she is a passionate advocate for STEM education, particularly for women and girls, demonstrating a unique talent for making advanced technologies enjoyable to learn.

Lauretta Y. Amanor was born in Accra, Ghana, West Africa, and grew up on the east side of Cleveland, Ohio. She attended Ursuline College, where she earned her Bachelors Degree in Public Relations and Social Media Communications. In June of 2021, Lauretta completed her Masters Degree in Public Administration at Cleveland State University (CSU). While completing her degree at CSU, Lauretta was a part of the Cleveland Foundations Public Service Fellowship Program class of 2019-2020. During her Fellowship, Lauretta was placed at Cuyahoga County, Job and Family Services, Invest In Children, where she had the opportunity to work on various initiatives that impacted children and spread awareness of the importance of Universal Pre-K programs for all.

Currently, Lauretta works at the Cleveland Foundation as an Event Manager, Program and HQ Engagement. In her role, Lauretta is responsible for collaborating with cross-departmental colleagues and the community to conceptualize, plan, and coordinate creative, inspiring, and engaging events, meetings, and experiences in and around our new building and the MidTown collaboration district. Before this role, Lauretta held multiple positions focused on community engagement, capacity building, mentoring, events, and programming.

Lauretta is passionate about volunteering and giving back to the communities she represents. The drive to help young ladies succeed in Cleveland and her hometown of Ghana inspired Lauretta to create a mentoring program called Blushing Orchids Mentoring Academy. Blushing Orchids mission is to empower and educate young women to become servant leaders in their communities.

When Lauretta is not working or volunteering, she loves to spend time with friends and families. Lauretta’s hobbies include cooking and occasional brunch dates, where she loves to enjoy her favorite dessert, French Macarons!

Crystal Bryant – Agyemang is an East Cleveland, Ohio native. As both a lawyer and social worker, she has a unique set of professional experiences that have helped to shape her career. Crystal spent the first 20 years of her career providing service to others in the public sector. Beginning her career as a passionate advocate in the Greater Cleveland Drug Court for Cuyahoga County TASC, Co-founding Cleveland VOTES, and last serving as the Executive Director of the Cleveland Branch of the NAACP, service to and for others has always been a driving factor in the work that has been chosen for her to do. Crystal now serves as the National Engagement Strategist on the Community Relations Team for the Corporate Responsibility Department at KeyBank.

Some of Crystal’s community endeavors include serving as a Fellow for the Ohio State Bar Association Foundation, New Leaders Council, Just Leadership USA, and Greater Cleveland Partnership. Crystal has served on multiple boards including the Cuyahoga County Alcohol Drug Addiction and Mental Health Services Board, the Cuyahoga County Diversion Board, CEO, Greater Cleveland Drug Court, Engage! Cleveland, One Ohio Advisory Board, and NOACA. Her current board service includes the Cuyahoga County Workforce Development Board, S.H.I.N.E and the CDWC.

Crystal values hard work and tenacity, desiring to step into work that others may stray from, believing firmly in the quote by the great Angela Davis “I am no longer accepting the things I cannot change; I am changing the things I cannot accept”.